Wood-cat Catfish
Auchenipterichthys thoracatus
A secretive Amazonian catfish that wedges itself into hiding spots with specialized fins.
About
Found throughout the Amazon River basin, this small wood-cat catfish, Auchenipterichthys thoracatus, is a fascinating species for hobbyists willing to work around its nocturnal lifestyle. During daylight hours you will rarely see it out in the open. It uses its dorsal and pelvic fins to brace and anchor itself firmly inside crevices, driftwood, and other snug retreats, a behavior that is genuinely interesting to observe once you know what to look for. As the lights go down, it becomes considerably more active and will venture out to forage. Because of this, keeping it in a tank with plenty of caves, hollow wood, and shaded spots is not optional so much as essential to its wellbeing. It is an omnivore and generally an undemanding eater once settled in. Reaching somewhere between three and five inches as an adult, it is a manageable size for a moderately sized setup. It is not especially aggressive but may compete with other nocturnal bottom dwellers for the best hiding spots, so tank mate choices deserve some thought. Overall this is a rewarding species for intermediate keepers who appreciate understated, behaviorally interesting fish over flashy display animals.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Wood-cat Catfish
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Wood-cat Catfish get?
- The Wood-cat Catfish reaches about 3–5.5" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Wood-cat Catfish need?
- A minimum of 35 gallons is recommended for the Wood-cat Catfish.
- What water parameters does the Wood-cat Catfish need?
- The Wood-cat Catfish does best with a temperature of 68–80°F, a pH of 6–7.5, hardness around 5–18 dGH.
- Is the Wood-cat Catfish aggressive?
- The Wood-cat Catfish is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Wood-cat Catfish eat?
- The Wood-cat Catfish is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Wood-cat Catfish live?
- With good care, the Wood-cat Catfish typically lives 5-8 years.